Cul De Sac

Walking down the country lane
I saw trees in flower all the way.
Gleaming gems among emerald leaves,
A medley of colors on fabulous display!

The path was carpeted with grass.
Thick bushes grew on either side.
The sun was mild and the air, pleasantly cool.
A quiet place where peace did abide.

I felt so thrilled sauntering alone,
Enjoying the serenity of the scene
I hoped it would extend long,
Taking me to terrains unseen

But to my perplexity I found the path a cul de sac 
Forcing me to take a different track.
It seemed as if travelled by none.
But I was determined not to turn my back.

No living soul could be spotted anywhere around.
The trees growing in clumps were wild and dull.
The path was strewn with pricking thorns and stones.
The place looked savage and morbidly still.

With every step my feet winced in pain.
But giving up halfway was not my choice.
Determined to reach the farther end,
I dragged forward obeying my inner voice! 

This is exactly how we feel sometimes in life
When the road you travel looks a cul- de- sac
When anxiety presses you down to the hilt
With persistence, move forward and never turn back!

Feb.13.2023

~ Placed First~

This or That, Vol.16. Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Edward Ibeh
Copyright © | Year Posted 2023


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 3/8/2023 12:27:00 PM
Congratulations on this winning work for the contest. It is a good work and I enjoyed reading it. Thank you for sharing. Sara
Login to Reply
Date: 3/8/2023 11:17:00 AM
Back with congratulations on your winning placement dear, Valsa. Wish you always the best.
Login to Reply
Date: 3/6/2023 7:44:00 AM
Congratulations on your first place win with this excellent poem, Valsa:-) Way to go!
Login to Reply
George Avatar
Valsa George
Date: 3/6/2023 8:24:00 PM
Thank you so much Edward. It has always been a pleasure for me taking part in your contests. Looking forward to more.
Date: 3/4/2023 6:37:00 AM
Back with BIG congrats on your TOP win my friend. So well deserved!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/3/2023 6:59:00 PM
Great moral with a solid personal situation imaginatively selected. Beautiful writing as usual. Congratulations!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/3/2023 1:44:00 PM
Beautifully optimistic Valsa. Congratulations! :)
Login to Reply
Date: 3/3/2023 9:51:00 AM
"Move forward" indeed Valsa. Truly the path of life is always changing and always under construction and even when we plan our journey we never know when a "cul-de-sac" detour will appear. So wonderfully articulated. As always your images as you change the scenery stand out and are glorious! Congratulations on your first place win dear friend. Blessings for your footsteps and your journey of discovery!!
Login to Reply
Date: 3/3/2023 8:49:00 AM
Valsa, It's no surprise that Edward chose this poem to reflect the very best of the contest; my sincerest congratulations go out to you on your well-deserved win.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/15/2023 6:41:00 PM
Interesting idea, that of a cul-de-sac as a barrier/challenge. Nicely penned, Valsa.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/13/2023 4:17:00 PM
Amen, keep walking, listening to that spirit within which reveals all the deception on the path, that keeps many from their reward
Login to Reply
Date: 2/13/2023 11:19:00 AM
Never turn back, indeed, dear Valsa! What a delightful poem of a faithful pilgrim persistently and faithfully following a road to an unexpected outcome. The cadence of your words matches the rhythm of your footsteps. As always, uniquely creative images that take us on your journey! Best wishes for the contest! Blessings and hugs dear friend!
Login to Reply
Date: 2/13/2023 5:51:00 AM
There is a splendid lesson on encounters we face in our journey. We struggle but don't turn back. Aptly done for the contest theme. Best to you, Valsa.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/13/2023 4:58:00 AM
Valsa, great metaphors. Your vibrant poetry suggests you're motivated to continue this quest. We may need to try many good paths to locate the hidden beauty. I often think of the brave adventurers of yesteryear who persevered against the odds. Good luck with the contest.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/13/2023 1:40:00 AM
Dear Valsa, this a wonderful poem full of imagery and a determination to go on your way. Best for a win.
Login to Reply
Date: 2/13/2023 12:13:00 AM
Quite a charming metaphorical write, Valsa:)
Login to Reply
Date: 2/12/2023 11:19:00 PM
Sometimes we have to leave the well trodden paths to discover the hidden beauty. So many turn around at the first hurdle, reminds me of the great explorers who never gave up and kept going. Good luck in the contest Valsa. Enjoy your week ahead. Tom
Login to Reply
Date: 2/12/2023 10:28:00 PM
Bravo ! Valsa. So well done. Rhymed well. Story was so pleasant and enjoyable and BAM ! The whole vibrance (Terry Ireland says if Shakespeare can make up words so can we! So I am sticking with vibrance.) of the poem changed. The dismay that you experience was felt by the reader, and then determination set in, and you likened it to life in general. I am sure this is what the sponsor had in mind.
Login to Reply
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter